THIS ISSUE
Orthopaedic implants increase momentum
Demand in United States for orthopaedic implants will grow by 8.9% per annum to be valued at nearly US$22 billion in 2012, according to a report from Freedonia. The four major product sectors all offer good prospects. The market for reconstructive joint replacements is forecast to reach US$9 billion in 2012 spurred on by an ageing population and the prevalence of physically active lifestyles. Continuing advances in materials and design will improve the safety and performance of knee and hip implants and encourage their use in the treatment of severe arthritis. Spinal implants will show strong increases as a result of advances in technologies and surgical techniques. However, fixation devices and artificial discs will account for the largest share of the market and have the best growth opportunities. www.freedoniagroup.com
Manufacturers to check connector safety
A test that aims to prevent injury or death as a result of cross-connection between small bore connectors used in different medical applications is now available. BS EN 15546-1, Small Bore Connectors for Liquids and Gases in Health Care Applications, provides a test method for manufacturers to ensure that small bore connectors for different applications are not compatible with either the luer connector or each other. The luer connection system is used in a variety of equipment. It is possible to interconnect a range of equipment and misconnection can have harmful effects, including injury as a result of medicines being administered via universal small bore connectors. Additional parts of the standard are to be developed in 2009 that will specify the requirements for connectors for each of these applications: respiratory, neuraxial, enteral feeding, endoscopy and noninvasive blood pressure connectors. www.bsigroup.com/BSEN15546-1
Alsace’s building project
A new building dedicated to life sciences is to be constructed in Alsace, France. The e11 million project aims to provide on a single site a range of services, research and expertise for the academic and industry community. The project was announced by Alsace BioValley, a network of agencies in the Alsace region involved in life sciences and health care. Funding for the project will come from the Alsace region, the State, the Department of the Bas-Rhin and the Urban Community of Strasbourg. The 2797 m2 building, to be constructed in the Illkirch Innovation Park, will house a Centre for Integrated Biology, led by Dino Mofras, Head of the Institute for Genetics and for Molecular and Cellular Biology; and a Platform Centre, sponsored by the Alsace BioValley. The two projects will be implemented simultaneously with shared costs and human resources. “What is new about this project is the way it will build in Alsace a centre of excellence combining services and very high level scientific expertise, thus helping to standardise, professionalise and organise the services required, which hitherto have existed only in academic labs,” said Nicolas Carboni, Managing Director of Alsace BioValley. The size of investment strengthens the role of Strasbourg, Alsace, as an international cluster in biology and health care. www.alsace-biovalley.com
Refurbished MRI systems in demand
The global market for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems is expected to reach US$3474.8 billion by 2012, which represents a forecast compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, according to a report from InMedica. Although there is a trend for higher field strength systems, the principal driver of market growth is the need to minimise costs while increasing patient throughput. The market for refurbished MRI equipment has experienced huge growth in the past few years, which has had an affect on the take-up of new systems. The refurbished market is important in regions with developing health care systems such as Eastern Europe, but it is also growing in established markets. In 2007, the largest market for refurbished MRI equipment was the United States, says the report. www.in-medica.com
